Library · Disease
Hypothyroidism
Make it clearer
Hypothyroidism means that the thyroid does not make enough thyroid hormones to meet the body's needs. Picture a signal that must reach many rooms in a house: here, the amount produced is not enough to meet that demand.
Thyroid hormones help regulate how the body uses energy. Because that function involves many organs, hypothyroidism can have wide-ranging effects, but this explanation cannot be used to diagnose it from a single symptom.
In brief
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones to meet the body's needs. This definition alone does not establish the cause, the severity, or the laboratory pattern.
Thyroid hormones regulate how the body uses energy and, because this function is so broad, affect many organs. This general relationship does not mean that a single symptom can be used to make a diagnosis.
Sources (2)
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIHHypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid)
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesThyroid Tests
This page explains the topic in general terms; it does not tell anyone what treatment to follow.
Updated